EU:EUROPEAN UNION leaders have issued a strong appeal to the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint after pro-independence demonstrations in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, ended in violence.
"We asked for restraint on the part of the Chinese authorities. We asked for human rights to be respected.
"There is strong condemnation, coming from all the European Council and the 27 countries," French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner told journalists covering the second and final day of the EU summit in the Belgian capital.
A statement agreed at the summit also called for the release of those arrested in Tibet where peaceful protest marches by Buddhist monks gave way to the largest and most militant demonstrations in Tibet for nearly 20 years.
British prime minister Gordon Brown told a news conference at the summit: "We are very concerned about what's happening in Tibet."
Foreign secretary David Miliband added: "There are probably two important messages to go out - one is the need for restraint on all sides, and secondly that substantive dialogue is the only way forward."
Referring to the Olympic Games scheduled to open in Beijing next August, Mr Kouchner said:
"France is not supportive of a boycott but France could draw attention to the concomitance between the Olympic Games and the Tibetan hopes that China must take into account." On the Middle East, the EU heads of state and governments expressed "full support" for the Annapolis peace talks process.
"A just and sustainable solution to all aspects of the Middle East peace process can only be achieved through negotiation," a declaration of the European Council said.
The declaration added: "The European Council is deeply concerned about the recent violence in Gaza and southern Israel, especially the civilian casualties.
"It condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on a seminary in Jerusalem on March 6th and the continued rocket attacks.
"While recognising Israel's legitimate right to self-defence, the European Council calls for an immediate end to all acts of violence."
The EU leaders stressed the need for "swift and tangible results on the ground in order to sustain negotiations".
They went on to say that, "action from both sides to implement their 'roadmap' obligations is vital in order to retain the confidence and support of the Israeli and Palestinian populations, the region and the wider international community".
On Lebanon, the council said it "continues to stand by its strong support for the government and institutions of Lebanon in carrying out their missions in order to preserve Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity".
But the council expressed concern about "the ongoing political deadlock" and deterioration of the security situation.
